Codes Department Receives Electric Vehicles
UTICA— Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri announced two new additions to the fleet of the Department of Codes Enforcement. The City of Utica has purchased two 2023 all-electric Chevy Bolt sedans to be used in the Codes Department.
The vehicles are the first all-electric, battery electric vehicles in the history of the City of Utica’s municipal fleet. The vehicles were purchased as part of the 2022-23 budget. The purchase of the vehicles follows the City agreeing to purchase during the capital process of last year’s budget.
The Codes Department, in part, patrols neighborhoods to ensure that they are safe and in compliance with City and State codes. The vehicles will serve as an efficient way for the department to exercise patrols while eliminating fuel costs and excess greenhouse gases. The City is currently installing two charging stations for these vehicles.
The City will look into purchasing more battery electric vehicles across the city-wide fleet if the performance of these cars are satisfactory.
Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri said: “In Utica, we want to be on the cutting-edge of technology and we’re open to finding new ways to protect the taxpayers and the environment. The work of the Department of Codes enforcement is critical to our quality of life and the officers should have the best equipment possible to do that work.”
Utica Councilperson Celeste Friend said: “The future is electric. Since first joining the Common Council in 2020, I have known that we need to transition our City fleet to electric vehicles. We need to move our City forward by using fully electric vehicles whenever and wherever we can. I’m glad to have helped bring much needed new equipment to the Codes Department and proud to have worked with Mayor Palmieri to make this lasting change.”
Codes Commissioner Marques Phillips said: “My officers have been excited for these vehicles since they heard our department was getting them. It’s fitting that the department that helps keep our neighborhoods clean is also the department that’s leading in keeping our environment clean.”
